U.S. patent number 8,235,334 [Application Number 13/029,109] was granted by the patent office on 2012-08-07 for tablet computer holder and support.
Invention is credited to Mark Kobal.
United States Patent |
8,235,334 |
Kobal |
August 7, 2012 |
Tablet computer holder and support
Abstract
A foldable support for a tablet computer or other object is an
upright, self-standing or anchorable device. A base having foldout
wings is adapted to be rotated in place and anchored under the legs
of a person in a seated position, or under the person's torso for a
reclining or supine person. The support includes a body with a
recessed portion into which the base is attached about a horizontal
axle to enable the rotation. Two arms are rotatably pinned together
with the other ends attached to ball joints on the body and a
receptacle. The receptacle holds the tablet computer or other
object and includes a frame housing with rotatably attached rods
that extend outwardly from side openings in the frame. A gripper is
mounted to the far end of each rod to hold the corners or edges of
the tablet computer or other object mounted between the
grippers.
Inventors: |
Kobal; Mark (Prague,
CZ) |
Family
ID: |
46583144 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/029,109 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/122.1;
248/346.07; 248/274.1; 248/177.1; 248/176.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M
11/38 (20130101); F16M 11/2078 (20130101); F16M
11/14 (20130101); F16M 11/041 (20130101); F16M
2200/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/121,122.1,133,176.3,177.1,274.1,346.072 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McKinnon; Terrell
Assistant Examiner: Breslin; Daniel J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ventre, Jr.; Louis
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A support comprising: a base comprising two wings, wherein each
wing is configured to rotate about 180 degrees on separate axes; a
body configured: to define a free standing three-dimensional shape
comprising: a vertical height; a depth; a width; a top side
positioned vertically at a distance from a bottom side; a rear
side; and a front side; with a recessed portion along the vertical
height on the front side into which the base is attached about a
horizontal axle; and wherein said horizontal axle enables the base
to be rotated between an approximate vertical position
approximately within the recess and an approximate horizontal
position adjacent to the bottom side; a first arm and a second arm;
the first arm comprising: an elongate shape; a first-arm first-end;
and a first-arm pinned-end; the second arm comprising: an elongate
shape; a second-arm first-end; and a second arm pinned-end; wherein
the first-arm pinned-end is connected to the second arm pinned-end
in a configuration that forms a pin joint, said pin joint enabling
rotation of the first arm and the second arm about the pin joint;
wherein the first-arm first-end is rotatably and removably
attachable to a first ball joint; and wherein the second-arm
first-end is rotatably and removably attachable to a second ball
joint; a receptacle comprising: a frame, the frame comprising: a
rear plate; and a plurality of side openings; a plurality of rods,
wherein each rod in the plurality of rods has an elongate shape;
wherein each of said rods comprises a base end and a distal end;
wherein each of said rods extends outwardly from a side opening in
the plurality of side openings; and wherein the base end of each of
said rods is rotatably attached to the frame; a gripper mounted to
the distal end of each of said rods, the gripper adapted to hold an
edge of an object mounted between the plurality of rods; wherein
the first ball joint is attached to the top side of the body; the
first ball joint configured for attachment to the first-arm
first-end; and wherein the second ball joint is attached to the
rear plate, the second ball joint configured for attachment to the
second-arm first-end wherein the base comprises a slotted member,
wherein the base is configured to lock into the approximate
horizontal position when the slotted member is slid into the body
after the base is rotated to the approximate horizontal
position.
2. The support of claim 1, further comprising a bracket attached to
rear side of the body adapted to hold the first arm and the second
arm after removal from the first ball joint and the second ball
joint, respectively.
3. The support of claim 1, wherein each of said rods in the
plurality of rods comprises a telescoping member adapted to enable
lengthening and shortening of each said rod and further adapted to
lock in position.
4. The support of claim 1, wherein at least one rod in the
plurality of rods comprises a spring to bias the distal end of said
rod towards the base end.
5. The support of claim 1, wherein the gripper comprises an
el-shaped brace rotatably attached to the distal end of the rod;
and an elastic cord.
6. The support of claim 1, wherein the base comprises two separate
shafts forming axles on the separate axes; and wherein the base
further comprises a handle formed by a member connecting the
separate shafts.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
In the field of supports, a pedestal-type device is self-standing,
foldable, portable and upright with an adjustable receptacle to
hold and support a tablet computer or other object in a tiltable
position above a seated or reclining person and at a distance above
a generally horizontal surface underneath the seated or reclining
person, such as a chair, couch, bed, floor or ground.
BACKGROUND ART
Support pedestal devices are often little more than horizontal
platforms above the floor. There are devices for a supine person,
but these generally straddle the person, are not foldable to a
compact state, are unstable with a larger device like a tablet
computer, are not self-supporting in that they require securing to
a fixed object, are unsuitable for a seated person, or do not
provide the scope of adjustability often desired for viewing and
manipulating the object that is supported.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A support for a tablet computer, book or other object includes a
base with two foldout wings. A person sits or lies on the wings and
the tablet computer, book or other object is steadied in place in
an adjustable position in front of the person. The support is
foldable into a compact state and includes a body with a recessed
portion into which the base is attached about a horizontal axle
that enables the base to be rotated between an approximate vertical
storage position within the recess and an approximate horizontal
deployed position perpendicular to the vertical aspect of the body
and adjacent to the bottom side of the body. The wings in the base
may be mounted on two separate shafts forming axles. The wings may
be configured to lock into a folded out position when the shafts
are slid into the body after the base is rotated to the approximate
horizontal position. The support includes a first arm and a second
arm rotatably pinned together at a pin joint with the other ends
attached to ball joints: one on the body and one on a receptacle.
The receptacle includes a rotatable frame housing with attached
rods that extend outwardly from side openings in the frame. A
gripper is mounted to the far end of each rod; the gripper holds
the corners or edges of a tablet computer or other object mounted
between grippers. The rods in the receptacle may be telescoping and
adapted to lock in position. The rods may be spring biased to pull
the grippers inward against the corners of the tablet computer,
book or other object. The gripper may include an el-shaped brace
rotatably attached at the end of the rod and an elastic cord, which
is suited to engage a corner of the tablet computer, book or other
object. The base may include a handle formed by a member connecting
the separate shafts. Optionally, a bracket is attached to the rear
side of the body to hold the two arms when removed from the ball
joints.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
The support is a pedestal-type device to hold a tablet computer or
other object in close proximity to a seated or supine person using
the tablet computer, book or other object. The support is
self-standing and is preferably anchored in place by the body of a
person so that it remains closely aligned with the person's body.
Anchoring also enables positioning the support at the right place
for use by the person because the support's center of gravity can
be shifted outside the footprint of its base.
The support comprises folding elements to compactly reconfigure the
support into a convenient shape and size for carrying it to any
desired location. Thus, the folding elements enhance the
portability of the support.
The support is upright in use with a fully adjustable receptacle to
hold and support the tablet computer or other object. It can be
adjusted for desired distance from the person; for length, width
and thickness of the object being held; and for orientation in
three dimensions. Such universal adjustability provides a support
adaptable to hold a broad spectrum of objects at perfect placement
for each individualized user's comfort.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and
the reference numbers in the drawings are used consistently
throughout.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the receptacle showing hidden
components.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the receptacle.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the gripper.
FIG. 6 is a perspective of a rod in the receptacle.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a rod in the receptacle.
FIG. 8 is a perspective of the body.
FIG. 9 is a perspective of the base with the wings open.
FIG. 10 is a perspective of the base with the wings folded
over.
FIG. 11 is a perspective of the base and arms stored in a folded
position on the body.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof and which illustrate several
embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and the
preferred embodiments of the invention are presented with the
understanding that the present invention is susceptible of
embodiments in many different forms and, therefore, other
embodiments may be utilized and structural, and operational changes
may be made, without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the support (100). The
components of the support (100) include a base (900) shown in FIG.
9; a body (115); a first arm (130) and a second arm (135); a
receptacle (200) shown in FIG. 2; a first ball joint (140); and a
second ball joint (320) shown in FIG. 3. The support is intended to
be an upright, self-standing device where the base is placed under
the legs of a person in a seated position, or under the person's
torso for a reclining or supine person. The person's weight on the
base is intended to further anchor the support in a comfortable
position. Components of the support (100) are adapted to be
foldable into a compact state as shown in FIG. 11, so as to enable
the support (100) to be used as a portable support for an object,
such as a tablet computer. The arms and receptacle provide
universal adjustability in holding and supporting a tablet computer
or other object in just about any position or orientation.
The base (900) includes two wings (110), which are preferably
tapered to make it more comfortable for a person laying on the base
while in use. Each of the two wings (110) is configured to rotate
about 180 degrees (see arrow 111 in FIG. 1) on separate axes (113).
Two typical rotatable wing positions are shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
10. As seen, the wings preferably rotate opposite to each other so
that they fold into a compact state. The base (900) may include two
separate shafts (114) forming axles on the separate axes (113).
When the two separate shafts (114) are present, the base (900)
further includes a handle (112) formed by a member connecting the
two separate shafts (114).
The base (900) preferably comprises a slotted member (1010). The
slotted member (1010) is configured to define a slot (1020) that
enables sliding the base (900) inwards into the body (115) to
anchor the body (115) and, thus, lock the base (900) in the
horizontal position. Thus, the base (900) is adapted to lock into
the horizontal position about an axle (124) when the slotted member
(1010) is slid into the body (115) after the base (900) is rotated
to the approximate horizontal position. While the support (100)
will work without such a lock because the leg or torso of the
person using it will hold it in place, the support (100) preferably
includes such a lock to add rigidity to the support (100). Also an
alternative mechanism for locking the base (900) into the
approximate horizontal position may be used.
The body (115) is the primary component that defines a free
standing three-dimensional shape. In the example shown in the
figures, this shape is approximately a rectangular, box-like shape.
However, a round, oval, or other three-dimensional shape may be
used.
The shape of the body (115) preferably comprises a vertical height
(116). A dimensional limitation is generally designated or
indicated by double headed arrow, as shown. A surface, side or hole
is generally indicated by an arrow. The shape of the body (115)
further preferably includes: a depth (117); a width (118); a top
side (119) positioned vertically at a distance, that is a height,
from a bottom side (120); a rear side (121); and a front side
(820).
The body (115) is configured with a recessed portion (123),
indicated by the dashed enclosure, along the vertical height (116)
on the front side (820) into which the base (900) is attached about
a horizontal axle (124).
FIG. 8 shows a more complete view of the horizontal axle (124). The
horizontal axle (124) enables the base (900) to be rotated between
an approximate vertical position, which is approximately within the
recessed portion (123) and an approximate horizontal position,
which is perpendicular to the vertical aspect of the body (115) and
adjacent to the bottom side (120), as shown in FIG. 1.
The first arm (130) and the second arm (135) each comprise an
elongated shape with a length that exceeds a width, depth or
diameter, much like the arm of a person. Each of these arms has a
first end, which has a female ball joint receptacle. The first-arm
first-end (132) is shown in FIG. 1 and the second-arm first-end
(1110) is shown in FIG. 11. Each of these arms also has a pinned
end, which preferably includes a cylindrical-type hole where a
bearing and pin can be inserted to form or create a pin joint (137)
shown within the dashed enclosure. The first-arm pinned end (131)
is shown in FIG. 1. The second-arm pinned-end (136) is also shown
in FIG. 1.
The first-arm pinned end (131) is connected to the second-arm
pinned-end (136) in a configuration that forms a pin joint (137).
The pin joint (137) enables rotation of the first arm (130) and the
second arm (135) about the pin joint (137). The pin joint (137) is
preferably configured with a lock (1120) shown in FIG. 11.
The first-arm first-end (132) is rotatably and removably attachable
to the first ball joint (140), and the second-arm first-end (1110)
is rotatably and removably attachable to the second ball joint
(320).
The lock (1120) is preferably a thumb and forefinger tightening
member that when turned, tightens both the pin joint (137) and the
two ball joints. As the lock (1120) is turned, it clamps against
the pin joint and a beveled thrust washer sending a pin (1130) to
engage a ball joint, preferably sending two pins, to engage the
ball joints. Friction provided by tightening the lock makes the
support a rigid unit. Alternatively, the pin joint (137) or ball
joints may be made rigid enough where the lock (1120) for one or
all of them is not needed.
The receptacle (200) includes a frame (145), which is the
rectangular, box-like body with a plurality of side openings (410)
or holes. The receptacle (200) is also shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4. The frame (145) includes: a rear plate (310); and a
plurality of side openings (410), typically one side opening for
each rod (150) in a plurality of rods that are part of the
receptacle (200).
The receptacle (200) includes a plurality of rods, wherein each rod
(150) in the plurality of rods has an elongate shape, that is, a
shape where the length is greater in size than the width, depth or
diameter. The elongate shape is preferably a tube-shape, or a
right-circular cylindrical shape, but any cross-sectional shape,
such as rectangular, square, oval, etc., may be used. Each rod
(150) comprises a base end (610) and a distal end (620), as shown
in FIG. 6. Each rod (150) extends outwardly from a side opening in
the plurality of side openings (410). As best seen in FIG. 4, a pin
connection (430) at the base end (610) of each rod (150) provides a
rotatable attachment to the frame (145). Thus, each rod (150) is
rotatably attached to the frame (145).
Preferably, each rod (150) in the plurality of rods comprises a
telescoping member (630) adapted to enable lengthening and
shortening of each rod (150) and further adapted to lock in
position. An annular sleeve (640) rotates to secure the telescoping
member in a desired position.
A rod (150) may include a spring (210) to bias the distal end (620)
of the rod (150) towards the base end (610). The spring (210)
facilitates a quick adjustment of the receptacle to the shape of
the object being held.
The gripper (500) is shown in FIG. 1 within the dashed enclosure
and also in FIG. 5. The gripper (500) is mounted to the distal end
(620) of each rod (150). The gripper (500) is any device that can
be adapted to hold the edges or corners of an object mounted
between each rod (150) in the plurality of rods. The preferred
embodiment of the gripper (500) is an el-shaped brace (420)
rotatably attached to the distal end (620) of a rod (150) in
combination with an elastic cord (520). The elastic cord (520) can
be pulled over the edge of the tablet computer or other object held
by the receptacle (200). The elastic cord (520) may be tensioned or
held in place by retaining balls (540) at the ends of the elastic
cord (520). A tightening cap (530) may also be used to clamp down
on the elastic cord (520) when the elastic cord (520) is pulled to
tighten it in securing an object in the receptacle (200).
The first ball joint (140) is attached to the top side (119) of the
body (115). The first ball joint (140) comprises a ball that is
configured for attachment to the first-arm first-end (132) of the
first arm (130). Preferably, the first-arm first-end (132) is
rotatably and removably attachable to the first ball joint
(140).
The second ball joint (320) is attached to the rear plate (310) of
the receptacle (200). The second ball joint (320) comprises a ball
that is configured for attachment to the second-arm first-end
(1110) of the second arm (135). Preferably, the second-arm
first-end (1110) is rotatably and removably attachable to the
second ball joint (320).
The support (100) may also include a bracket (125) attached to the
rear side (121) of the body (115). The bracket (125) is adapted to
hold the two arms after removal from the ball joints. The bracket
(125) preferably comprises a snap-in connection that enables
holding against the body (115) either the first arm (130) or the
second arm (135). Alternative embodiments of a bracket may engage
both the first arm (130) and the second arm (135).
The above-described embodiments including the drawings are examples
of the invention and merely provide illustrations of the invention.
Other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
Thus, the scope of the invention is determined by the appended
claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples
given.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The invention has application to the computer industry.
* * * * *